Sinclair fires for impressive U18s

Jerome Sinclair was on the mark as Liverpool U18s christened the new Academy red nets with a superb 4-2 win over Bolton Wanderers on Friday.

Neil Critchley's young Reds produced a brilliant performance as they came from behind to win in their final game of the season.

Also on the mark with Sinclair were an own goal, Pedro Chirivella and Daniel Trickett-Smith.

Bolton actually started the brighter side but with captain Tom Brewitt a courageous figure at the back the Reds backline held firm.

With Sheyi Ojo a constant threat down the left flank and the movement of Sinclair causing problems, Critchley's charges began to take control.

On 29 minutes a great run and cross by Sinclair down the left was narrowly missed by Chirivella in the six-yard box.

Then the excellent Adam Phillips tried his luck with a superb drive that was turned away by the excellent Harry Campbell, then minutes later Sergi Canos came even closer when his superb curled effort landed inches the wrong side of the post.

Bolton were always dangerous on the counter-attack and Ryan Crump twice had to be alert making good saves from William Abbotts and Jamie Thomas.

After a goalless first half the away side broke the deadlock on 55 minutes when Abbots produced an excellent finish from a tight angle to give Crump no chance.

However, two minutes later the young Reds were level with a goal of sublime quality.

Picking up the ball on the left flank, the No.10 produced an unstoppable curled effort into the bottom corner of the net, becoming the first Liverpool player to score in the new red Kirkby goal nets.

A minute later it was 2-1. Ojo's blistering pace saw him leave the full-back for dead and from his inviting cross, the luckless Bolton defender Robert Holding, under pressure from Sinclair, deflected the ball into his own net.

Trickett-Smith then had an effort cleared off the line after a superb pass from Sinclair, and then a Gerrard-esque long range pass from Phillips sent Canos clear but the Spaniard was denied by a point-blank save from Campbell.

It did become 3-1 on 73 minutes when Spanish star Chirivella was on the mark.

Chasing a ball that looked to be on its way out of play, Sinclair did brilliantly to keep it in and find Chirivella who sold a lovely dummy past the defender and goalkeeper before finding the net.

Sinclair got his deserved goal to make it 4-1 on 74 minutes. Collecting a fine pass from Alex O'Hanlon, he expertly slotted the ball past the keeper into the net.

Christopher Cvetko fired a superb consolation goal for the young Trotters after a corner wasn't cleared but it was Liverpool's day as they ended a fine season of progression in the only way they know how - scoring lots of goals.

Reflecting on the result Critchley told Liverpoolfc.com: "It was a great way to end the U18s programme this season and the lads put on a great performance.